Plane filled with cocaine seized at Liberal airport
Law enforcement officials seized a twin-engine plane and a large quantity of cocaine at Liberal’s airport on Wednesday.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security discovered Wednesday that a “suspicious aircraft” would be landing at the Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport later in the day, according to a statement released by the KBI.
The Beechcraft Queen Air landed just before 6 p.m. and was detained by authorities. More than 65 kilograms, or 144 pounds, of cocaine was found.
The seized cocaine has an estimated street value of approximately $2 million, according to the KBI. The pilot and passenger, men ages 51 and 26, were arrested.
The Seward County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation, which is ongoing.
Stan Finger: 316-268-6437, @StanFinger
This story was originally published May 11, 2017 at 5:12 PM with the headline "Plane filled with cocaine seized at Liberal airport."